Dec 30, 2010

BRACE YOURSELF, THIS ONE IS LONG! GIVEAWAY TOO!

Hello Dear Friends: January 1st, marks the beginning of my third year blogging. I am writing this first post of the New Year to talk a little bit about my journey in blogging. I would also like to take some time to answer some frequently asked questions, questions that have confused even the greatest minds! Questions like, "Where do you put all this stuff?" Where do you get this stuff? Do you use all this stuff? How many tea cups do you have? Are you a Hoarder? (I ask myself this all the time.) Is Noah allow to touch anything? You ladies do ask a lot of profound questions. I love it. So, I am about to give you some answers. You may be surprised, so brace yourself!

Let's start with the first question. Why on earth do you blog? I can't tell you how many people have asked me this,(well, maybe one or two) especially my family. I recently told my first daughter the number of people who actively follow my blog and you know what she said? Well, I will tell you. "Mom, you are not that interesting!" She is my encourager! Bless her heart, Lord! She lifts me up when I am down! Monique is the one who says, "Mom, if something happens to you, everything is going to be sold in a yard sale, so price it!" Monique taught me that pretty things, are just that, pretty things. Her bluntness has always served me well.

I have journaled all my life. Always in private, usually about things that were painful, things I did not want to forget, and repeat my mistake, so I journaled. Two years ago, January 1st, 2009. I started my blog. I had been a "blogger peeping tom" for a while. I blogged (Is that a word?) of a great sadness in my life and it helped. I was bluntly honest with myself (important). No one was reading my blog anyway, so who cared? After several months, a dear friend Nancy, began to read my blog. She did not know how to post a comment, so it still was like no one was there. Slowly joy came, so did followers. People who loved me for just me. Not what I could do for them. Ladies who visit, just because! Weird huh? Today, my reason for blogging has not changed. The only difference now is, I am not sad. When I count my blessings, I count you as part of them. Sometimes my life feels like a fairy tale. Like a story, with a happy ending. Who would have thought?

Now on to the important questions. "Where do you get all this stuff? Where do you keep it?" Being a passionate lover of beautiful things and poor, I had a big problem. My answer, estate sales and yard sales. Today, I can say that everything in my home was either purchased at an estate sale or yard sales except mattress and appliances. I only discovered thrift stores about 9 years ago. (I know what is wrong with me?) I was so excited, I thought I was going to get hives, from joy!

Yes, I use everything, I love to eat on beautiful plates, nothing is sacred. If it breaks, it broke! "People are more important than things. Things are just that, things. Hearts are more important." Yes, Noah can play with anything in my home. I have taught him to respect things and not play ruff with china cups. Noah has learned well. He has only broke one item in his long two years, 9 months of life.

Now for the big question! "Are you a hoarder, Martha?" (I ask myself, this all the time.) Well here is what I think about that question . . .I don't know. I do sell as much as I own. However, that money always goes to a new collection. I store things by months. They are stored in the basement. Each bin is marked with the month's name so I know what comes up stairs. I always forget what I have stored, so everything feels new, quite exciting. I make a point to buy one new thing each month. I think each month deserves a gift! After all, the month has come to visit me again!

As for as how many tea cups I have? Who really knows? I do know that I can serve a high tea for about 100 ladies without breaking a sweat. I would begin to get a little rash after that. That would include, the sterling, dessert plates, tea pots, and all the cute little things you need to make a lady feel special.

I hope this helps explain a little more about me. Noah's mother, Vanessa, will want to keep everything of my, just because it was mine. She is my sentimental daughter. Two very different daughters, each has taught me a lot about love. My son, Kyle, well, he is a bull in a china factory! Remember I said Noah had only broke one item? My son, Kyle on the other hand is in a league of his own.

I want to end or begin, with a giveaway to mark this very important day! I hope you like this tea cup and bling I picked! I love the little feet on the cup! Please enter as often as you want. You get extra credit for putting my button on your blog and of course for following! Just let me know what you are doing. The giveaway will end at the end of the month!

I want to thank you for your faithfulness. Praying God will bless us this New Year, with His Presence, His Joy, Health, and Prosperity! Praying God will surround you with people that love you, just because of you! Hugs, Martha

108 comments:

How wonderful! Love reading your post and all the things you shared. I think of purchasing things at Estate sales as carrying on the owner's tradition of treasuring certain objects. I'd love it if there were 100 kindred spirit ladies sharing tea with you! Would love to be there!God Bless you, looking forward to more next year - oh, and love your philosophy of a gift each month - perfect!Kathy

Certain objects are made to be treasured and it appears that you have an eye for finding them. My Mother collects china cups as well and enjoys telling the tale of each ones acquisition. Your giveaway certainly would be fitting at any high tea celebration. Lovely!

Oh Martha...your not an hoarder...Your a serial collector...right? Don't remember how we found each other, it doesn't matter, we just did and let me tell ya, you think I've helped you, Gurl, you've helped me just as much in many ways...

Howdy Martha I truly just wanted to come by and say thank you for another year of sweet words,lovely company and for your simply being you !You do serve up so much love more than you'll ever know ! This post was amazing .I'm not sure I could sit down and answer the questions as well as you just did ,but you are an amazing and beautiful woman . I am so glad you are here :)May 2011 continue to be a year of wonderful blessings each day for you and all yours.Oh and thank you for the Fabulous giveaway your having !!!!!Happy New YearHugs from TexasUntil next timeHappy Trails

Hi Martha!I guess I started following your blog on the perfect day, because I got to read all about your blogging and collecting (no, not hoarding) journey. :) Thank you for sharing and thank you for participating in my giveaway.It's so nice to meet you!Blessings,Sabre'

Thank your sharing your children. They are handsome people! I enjoy your teacups too. I am trying not to make resolutions this year, only forming "thoughts". I am trying to form the thought that I will use some restraint in buying teacups!I must find a way to weed and then maybe I could have some more...but I never know what I can turn loose of!! Happy New Year, Martha.

You write beautifully and straight from the heart, so glad I found you, you always lift my spirits!!! Thank you for sharing with us.....as far as collecting/hoarding goes, we don't have to explain to anyone why we do what we do...."beauty is its own reason for being".....God bless you and yours in this new year....hugs....cleo

awww Martha, I really love your pink Myott! my fave kind! I wish I could find one! I found one in blue, bought it but somehow never arrived. Has gone missing while posting.. :( kindda sad.. I wish the blue one arrive any time soon. anyhow, hows your bidding on the Spode Jewel Billingsley? Did you get it?

Dear Martha,what a lovely post. You are certainly not a hoarder. You are a lover of beauty! And I love to see all your nice pictures with china and blings. And whenever something would happen to you (I don't weant to think about that) and everything would be sold in a yars sale, there would be still a lot of memories survive for ever in the hearts of your family which reminds ever to you and your love of beautiful china.I wish you a very Happy New Year full of Health, Luck and Joy.Greetings, Johanna

Just wanted to thank you for becoming a follower of my blog. Now that we've met, I can become a follower of yours. What a wonderfully sweet blog you have. I know it's going to be a lot of fun to visit often. Happy New Year to you!CAS

My sweet friend,Martha!!I loved this post!!I answered a lot of my questions!! LOL!!I know exactly how you feel about blogging. My 1 year anniversary is coming up and it has been a wonderful year filled with so many new things because of blogging! And one of the best gifts blogging has given to me is find a friend in you!I am honored and blessed to know you and call you a friend!Wishing you and yours a Happy and Healthy New Year!!

Hi Martha, I enjoyed reading this post. You have a lovely family and beautiful collections. And what a beautiful giveaway. I do love tea parties. When my daughters were young, we would have tea parties with their friends.Happy New Year!~ Julie

loved your post, Martha! so good to see your humour shine through :) you've done a great thing by blogging! thank you too for the blessings ~ i receive them with joy :)and as for the giveaway... mmm mmm mmm -LUV it!

Dear Martha: I wrote you another comment but I guess it didn't go through. Just wanted to tell you how much I love your writing. Also, that we are truly kindred spirits, sisters of a non-biological nature. Everything you love, I love, too! We appreciate exquisite things.

Your family is handsome....Kyle is a living doll and Noah, too.

You are very dear to me, Martha. Plus, you were one of my very first Followers and I will never, ever forget that!

I wish you a new year filled with good health, much abundance, and a constant stream of blessings from our Heavenly Father.

Martha, Happy New Year...I am so happy I've been introduced to your blog. No, I agree, you're not a hoarder, just a connoisseur of beautiful things, and you like to surround yourself with them. That's my dream - to surround myself with cheery, beautiful people and things.

Oh, the teacup and bling are lovely. Please enter me in your giveaway!! The feet on the teacup remind me of my tea fairy drinking from the teacup footed with leaves.

Hi Martha, Thanks so much for visiting yesterday. I really enjoyed your comment and this post! Your teens are VERY like my own. "Why do you blog mom? We are all wondering!" LOL! They indulge me..and I work hard to keep it all in balance. If I kept as many tea cups as you have..they'd kick me out of the house. Of course we have a very small house...but a lot of land. :o) BTW, I host a Tuesday Tea and I'd love to have you share a photo and post about your gorgeous tea cups! I'm just STARTING my real collection. I have a few..but they aren't the antiques I crave. I have a lot of antiques..just not tea cups.

Martha..I'm so lost..it wasn't your comment that was so lovely..as I don't think you did that..but you just signed up to follow me..just like that! I was so pleased! Every follower is a treasure to me but it's even so much more special when I wake up and there's a bright new face peeking at me from the sidebar. I just have to drop by and see who it is. I signed up to follow you too and hope to get to visit you often.

Thanks for the great post and for satisfying some of our curiosity about your collections. I enjoyed seeing the nice family photos. It's funny what you said about your daughters - my two feel the same about my collections. I also have a son (he hasn't broken much). :-)

Hi Martha, I would love to add this cup to my collection.I have been following your blog for a few years. You have inspired me to look for the unexpected.I also have a great devotion to God. He is all I am.Pat

Wonderful post Martha! Brought a few tears and chuckles. Monique's comments are priceless:-)I don't think you are a hoarder IF you can still get to your computer...without moving lots of cups or turning sideways to walk through things. Haha! Keep on bringing joy to your life with all those pretty things!!! Best, Vicki

You sound like a very organized version of my mother, Martha. I wasn't going to read your post because I should be doing other things but it was just too captivating. Thanks for sharing with all of us. I look forward to the next post and to see more of your treasures, including your beautiful grandchildren.

I am a new follower and love teacups too! The one you are offering in your giveaway is just adorable. Would you please put me on your invitation list for that high tea you are planning for someday? I would like to attend--I've been waiting for the Queen of England to ask me, but that invitation must have gotten lost in the mail . . .

I was delighted today when I read your blog.. My kids tell me I have too much stuff...but I enjoy every bit of it... I too love a good thrift shop or yard sale...what great treasures can be found at these... The kids told me they would bring in a big trash dumster and start throwing...Oh My!!!!!! At my age it gives me pleasure and that's what counts.. Lets keep on doing what we love and happy New year.

What a beautiful post you have written today and we can all be so thankful for your beautiful friendship.I love the new blue look and roses on your blog.Wishing you a wonderful 2011, may it be filled with much love, joy, good health and many blessings. It is lovely to know you and you have a beautiful family.

Hi Martha,You sound a lot like me, I love pretty stuff, but it is just that, stuff. I promise that I will never get mad if one of my precious little grands break something of mine, it is just stuff, they are far more precious to me than any of the stuff.Please enter my name in your giveaway.Hugs, Cindy

Martha what a beautiful post! I have been laying low because of a busy Christmas, so this is my first time back on Martha's Favorites. Wishing you a very Happy New Year. Looking forward to seeing more of Martha's Favorites :-)

Oh Martha, I must have missed this post! You are just so sweet and I am so glad you found your way out of the valley and back in the sunshine. Congrats on 3 years of therapy- I mean blogging! It is the best way to work things out.Hugs- Tete

Loved reading all about you and your wonderful stash of goodies where you keep them (that suprised me a great deal) lol I agree about letting the children (Noah) touch things if they learn respect this is an important lesson indeed.

Your children are beautiful. I am glad you are a happier person since your blooging life began I loving popping by to see you and what delish pieces you will be showing next.

Martha, my dear, you truly are a jewel! I loved your post, your honesty and your sense of humor! I must buy myself something once a month; that sounds like something that is very easy to do! I certainly couldn't serve 100 ladies for tea all at once but it would be fun trying someday! Please include my name for your gorgeous giveaway. I am a follower and I will be happy to put your button on my sidebar. Have a lovely week.

Dear Martha, I always thought you were beautiful, interesting and had a great sense of humor! I love your blog and was so glad when I found you!! Your children are all beautiful. I have 2 daughters and 1 son and they are very different from one another, too. So happy that you ARE a blogger and I love my "visits" with you. Hugs, Kerrie

Hello Martha, I have been here on this post to leave a comment a few times over the last five days, but I always get side-tracked when I go to one of your followers blogs!! Talk about attention deficit!!! LOL!! So I am leaving a comment now!! Happy New Year!!! I love your blog and have been a follower for quite a while now. I treasure your Teacup Tuesdays and have joined in many of them. I am back after a long break though!! Drop in when you have a minute. I am having my first give-away!!! Check it out. I love your pictures of your family! What a happy clan you have!! I love your teacups and teapots, too. I also have enough teacups to host at least one hundred!!! Am I nuts or what!!! I guess we are nuts together!! I hope you have a blessed and prosperous 2011, Martha.Take care! Love and warm hugs, Laura

What an adorable teacup with little feet. I don't have one like that, and I'm not sure I've ever seen one like that, so I would love to win it for my collection. I like your idea of displaying jewelry with your china, I must remember and do that too one day. Hope you have a wonderful day. I'll add myself as a follower so I can see more of your great collection.

posted your tuesday teacups in today's blogroll and a new giveaway button to the FHC sidebar ~ loving the teacup trade responses - so many new friendly faces luving tea :) looking fwd to the matchup! thx for your giveaway..

"I am SO HAPPY you started blogging AND I'm SO HAPPY I began blogging and I'm "TICKLED PINK" that our paths crossed"!!! Love you to Pieces Dear Lady, and I always look forward to everything you do and say!!! It's SO Funny how blunt your daughter is(LOVE IT), BEING the MOM of three guys, 4if you count hubby, I talk and entertain them to a BLAH,BLAH,BLAH! while they talk MEN STUFF! I thought if I had a daughter all that would change...Thank you for showing me, it would not, hehe!!!Enter me in the giveaway, I'd LOVE to have a cup&sauce and name it Martha!!!HUGS TO YOU,Donna

Hi, this is my first time passin' through on your blog so please don't enter me in your give-away (I really hate when I first show up and/or comment on a giveaway) but I just want to say that my philosophy about keeping lots of things we love is as long as you don't have to rent a storage unit for smalls, you're doing just fine :) (and even then, hey, if it your money, go for it :)

Hi Martha! I just loved reading your New Year's Post! Your family members are as awesome as you, and just as special. It's been so fun to be one of your followers the last year, and I've always been so in awe of your beautiful collections...I catch myself thinking to myself, "Did you know I collect ___________?" Just like you! Every time I look at something that speaks to me, I start a new collection it seems! I'd love to be the winner of your giveaway, bling and teacups, who can get any better than that?? But you dear lady are the real Winner...God bless you and your dear family!Doni

I so much enjoyed learning about your collections I forgot you were posting a give away, too. You answered a lot of questions I had each time I popped over. I always wondered how many teacups you had. If I were to post several as you do each Tuesday, I'd run out in now time. God has blessed you with a beautiful collection, and in turn you bless us, and everyone you serve tea to, even up to 100. Impressive! Thanks for your generous give away. The teacup is dreamy! I'd be lying if I said I wasn't wishing I were the winner.

I am a follower of your wonderful blog. LOL, for the past month my family has been calling me a hoarder, and they tease me when the t.v. program about hoarders comes on.Jodyvisionquest2020 AT msn DOT com

I've got your button linked up on my blog. Congrats on your third year milestone of blogging. It is such a lovely tea cup and bling that you've selected, and yes indeed I love those littel feet.Jodyvisionquest2020 AT msn DOT com

Hi Martha!I love to collect beautiful dishes and use them! I would love to win your giveaway! I am now a follower and will post your giveaway on my sidebar! I absolutely love your blog! Thank you for sharing your stories!Have a Blessed day~

hi martha what a beautiful cup and saucer and the bling is so pretty as well. i have just figured out how to do this stuff so i think i have the ''follower'' thing figured out. i have enjoyed reading your blog.. i have two sons as well and they are like your kyle then add in my husband and wow i have a whole herd of those bulls in the china shop.. thankfully the boys are grown and on their own now so maybe just maybe i can finally have 'pretties' again.

What a wonderful blog. I enjoyed so reading it and knowing there are others that have my passion for collecting. Though I do not have only a few dozen teacups and saucers I have over 100 teapots. Love each and every one and have gotten them from all areas of the USA. My teapot collection started about 9 years ago with a remodel of our kitchen. We had decided to leave my space above our cupboads open and I wanted something to put up there. While on a trip to Louisana to see my oldest daughter and family we just happened to go into an antique shop. My parents were with us and loved antiques. My DH discovered a pretty teapot and said to me " This is a great thing to add above the cupboards". By the time we arrived back in Michigan we had collected 13 teapots. From there it just kept going . I really enjoyed learning about you and your family. My husband and I have 6 children and they have given us 22 grandchildren and 2 Great Grandchildren and I love each and everyone of them Love your giveaway and would love to add it to my small collection.

I just found your beautiful blog.I really enjoy it.In a house full of pretties it seems you are the real treasure.Count me in on your lovely giveaway.I just signed up to follow and can't wait to see more of the beauty you share.Warm Blessings!~Amy

just following thru on your entry rule that says 'Please enter as often as you want' ~so that's me and tenacity ..not sure where my other entries are as i'm chatting here almost daily but not all showup..which means i have less entries than wanted :))

About Me

I'm a Christian lady with a family I adore. Living in Southern California, our home is nestled in the mountains. I have been working on an English garden for 14 years! It is still not done! I love to live with vintage things. I redecorate my home every month whether it needs it or not. I have a husband, Kelly and three wonderful grown children, Monique, Vanessa and Kyle which I love so much. Extra special treasures in my life are my three Grandchildren Maya, Noah and Sophia Lola. I can not remember what life was like before them. I love anything vintage especially items with roses and ladies. I have my own website, Pretty Vintage Things, where only special items are sold! I always have something beautiful to look at, so feel free to stop by. I love the Lord with all my heart and give Him thanks for all His blessings!